GE Free Northland action alert- further submissions needed in response to the Northland Regional Council proposed Regional Plan

IMPORTANT- call for further submissions, in response to the Northland Regional Council proposed new "Regional Plan" for Northland  
   

Deadline for further submissions:  3pm, Monday 26 March 2018. 

 

This is the next round of public consultation about the new Regional Plan for Northland, please make a "further submission" to Northland Regional Council, urging the NRC to place strong precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions, policies and rules in the new Regional Plan (in addition to other sound environmental policies).

Your help is needed to protect Northland's existing valuable GE free status, our biosecurity, unique biodiversity, economy and GE free primary producers.

Deadline for further submissions:  3pm, Monday 26 March 2018. 

Please make a "further submission" supporting the original submissions made by GE Free Tai Tokerau, Whangarei District Council, Far North District Council, the Auckland GE Free Coalition, the Soil & Health Association Aotearoa NZ, GE FREE NZ, Organics Aotearoa NZ (OANZ) and TE WAKA KAI ORA on the important GE/GMO issue.

How to make your  further submission in response to the NRC proposed Regional Plan

 You can provide written feedback by:

  • Email: submissions@nrc.govt.nz
  • Post: PRP Further Submissions, Northland Regional Council, Private Bag 9021, Whangārei Mail Centre, Whangārei 0148
  • Drop it in to one of the NRC offices (ring  0800 002 004 to find your local NRC office)

- or, you can Go to the NRC consultation site to make your further submission online (but DO remember to save a copy of your further submission!)

http://consult-nrc.objective.com/portal/planning_and_policy/further_submissions/further_submissions

 

 

More information:  GE Free Tai Tokerau   Email: linda.grammer@gmail.com    or ring Martin Robinson 09 407 8650 (Kerikeri)

 

 

See below key points on GE/GMOs you may like to make in your further submission. Please indicate whether or not you wish to be heard :)

Date:

Further submission to Northland Regional Council proposed Regional Plan

Private Bag 9021, Whangārei Mail Centre, Whangārei 0148 

Submission by:

(your full contact details, postal, email, telephone optional)

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission. 

I /we urge the NRC to place strong precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions, policies, and rules in the new Regional Plan for Northland. I /we want the Northland Regional Plan to be in alignment with the strong precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions in the Auckland Unitary Plan, including outright prohibition of GE/GMOs in the Coastal Marine Area.  

"I /we urge the NRC to address and support the precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO policies of all Tai Tokerau Iwi authorities, for their respective rohe. While I/we support the wording in the Policy section D.1.1 of the tangata whenua section of the proposed Regional Plan (which includes requiring an analysis in a consent application when GE/GMOs may be released into the environment), I / we note that the GE/GMO issue has been identified as an Issue of Significance for Northland tangata whenua (and an issue of concern for Northland communities). Maori have particular concerns about the risks of outdoor use of GE/GMOs to indigenous biodiversity (this is detailed in the Northland "Regional Policy Statement."

I/we  want the NRC to act in keeping with the valuable precautionary GE/GMO provisions in the Northland "Regional Policy Statement" (including policy 6.1.2 and method 6.1.5) and to support the excellent collaborative GE/GMO plan changes by Whangarei District Council and Far North District Council (WDC PC131  FNDC PC18).

 I / we strongly support the original submissions (on the important GE/GMO issue) by GE Free Northland, Whangarei District Council, Far North District Council, the Auckland GE Free Coalition, the Soil  & Health Association Aotearoa NZ, Physicians & Scientists for Global Responsibility/ Responsible Genetics, GE FREE NZ,  Patuharakeke Iwi Trust, Dr. Benjamin Pittman, and Te Waka Kai Ora.  

I /we urge the NRC to act to protect Northland's biosecurity/ unique biodiversity/ economy and existing non GM primary producers (including farmers, growers, foresters, beekeepers, and seed savers) from the risks of outdoor use of GE/GMOs and hazardous new genetic technologies.

 I /we want the NRC to help protect our existing valuable GM free status, this can be done at little cost, by working collaboratively with Auckland Council and Northland District Councils, helping to protect our valuable "Northland Naturally" brand.  Northland's economic prosperity lies with premium, uniquely pure, and GM free products.  

The NRC is a full member of the Northland/ Auckland "Inter Council Working Party on GMO Risk Evaluation & Management Options", I /we ask the NRC to act on its obligations to its constituents and the environment.

 I wish / do not wish to be heard (choose one).  Please keep me informed.

* Policy 6.1.2 of the Northland Regional Policy Statement (RPS) says quite specifically is councils must “adopt a precautionary approach towards the effects of climate change and introducing genetically modified [plant] organisms to the environment where they are scientifically uncertain, unknown or little understood, but potentially significant.”

This is confirmed by method 6.1.5 in the Northland RPS which states that “The regional and district councils should apply policy 6.1.2 when reviewing their plans or considering options for plan changes and assessing resource consent applications.”